Here's a newly restored Type 51 in road trim for useablity. It is always nice to see proofs that a car is being used.Photo: Marco Bertazzoni, Reference

Type 51 is basically a Type 35 with a supercharged double over-head cam engine based on the new Type 50 engine.
One source says only three Type 51 (1930-34), and around fifteen Type 51A (1932-36) and 51C (1933) where made, while another says that 40 of the Type 51 where built. The latter figure may include Type 35, Type 37 and occational Type 39, that where converted to the engine specs of the new dohc engine and received a new 51xxx chassis number by the factory.

Model:

Type 51

Type 51A

Type 51C

Years made:

1931-35

Engine type:

8 cyl. in-line, 2 valves/cyl., 2 over-head cams

Engine size:

2262cc (60x100)

1493cc (60x66)

1991cc (60x88)

Supercharger:

yes

Clutch:

wet

Forward gears:

4

Drive:

shaft

Front suspension:

solid axle, 1/2-elliptical springs

Rear suspension:

solid axle, reverse 1/4-elliptical springs

Brakes:

cable operated drums

Wheelbase [m]:

2.4

Track [m]:

1.2

Size [m]:

length 3.683, width 3.121

Tyre size:

28x5.00

Weight [kg]:

c. 750

Top speed [km/h]:

c. 225

1933, Type 51A, with non-standard exhaust pipes along the side
This racer was once driven by Louis Chiron.Photo: Jacob Munkhammar, Reference